With such a variety of races and cultures in the US, many college students already speak two or more languages at home. If you only speak one language, you are at a disadvantage. There are numerous benefits of bilingualism that can influence your personal development and career prospects. Here are some of the reasons why monolingual students should learn a second language while they are in college.
New languages improve your cognitive function
A straightforward benefit of learning a second language is that it improves your memory. New languages come with new tones, vocabulary, and grammar rules that all have to be committed to memory. This strengthens your memory muscle. A better memory helps you in other aspects of life from recalling names of people to remembering complicated instructions.
In addition, researchers have suggested that the focus required to speak a second language can help you to extend your attention span and improve your concentration. As you practice switching between several languages in your brain, you advance your ability to home in on critical stimuli while blocking out irrelevant information.
Because your brain is used to juggling multiple stimuli, you become naturally better at multitasking. Bilinguals are more adept at prioritizing tasks and managing multiple projects. A study by the National Institutes of Health found that bilingual children were able to switch between tasks quicker than their monolingual counterparts.
New languages help your brain grow
Language and communication are a large part of brain function. Just like our physical muscles, our brains grow with regular exercise. As you try to grasp the intricacies of a new language, your brain becomes bigger and stronger.
In one study, researchers compared language and non-language students involved in intensive studies. After three months, MRI scans showed that the hippocampus and some areas in the cerebral cortex of language students increased in size. Meanwhile, the same regions in non-language students remained unchanged. Furthermore, areas associated with language learning such as the superior temporal gyrus showed greater growth in students with better language skills.
If you expand the benefits of three months of studying to a lifetime of speaking two or more languages, the cognitive benefits can be considerable. Studies have found that bilingual or multilingual adults experience the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease at a later age than their monolingual peers.
Bilingualism leads to broader horizons
Whether you want to talk to the cute new exchange student at school or order fluently from your favorite street stall, speaking another language improves your ability to communicate. As you practice a new language, you learn to break out of your shell and overcome the fear of failure and embarrassment. This eventually leads to more confidence and self-esteem. You will be comfortable in unfamiliar situations and unafraid to take the lead and connect with others.
Language is inseparable from culture. When you learn a new language, you also learn about the people, history, and communities that it is associated with. Because you can communicate better, you have a deeper understanding of different cultures and backgrounds. With this understanding, you develop a well-rounded worldview and a global perspective. You can meet new friends, visit new places, and learn new things that expand your horizons. When traveling, the ability to speak the local language provides a level of immersion that is impossible for everyday tourists.
A second language expands your options
As the world becomes increasingly more connected, businesses are centering on diversity. Learning how to speak more than one language is a strategic investment that will help you to access more job prospects. You will not only have an edge over the other candidates in the domestic market but also gain the opportunity to seek work overseas.
Being able to speak another language, especially an uncommon one, will allow you to apply for challenging positions in exotic locations. You could be stationed overseas to work as an interpreter or political liaison for the government and armed forces. You also have the chance to become a foreign correspondent for a media outlet or represent your company in another country.
Languages become easier to learn
Some languages are similar in structure and pronunciation. Once you master one language such as Spanish, it can be easier for you to pick up a related language such as Portuguese. Your brain will already be accustomed to managing multiple languages. This plasticity helps you to learn and retain a new language with less effort. You will be surprised by the similarities in seemingly unrelated languages such as Spanish and Filipino or Mandarin and Thai. If you love learning languages, you may find yourself becoming a polyglot in no time.
College is a great time to pick up a second language. The cognitive benefits of language study will spill over to your other academic subjects and help you to achieve better results. A second language will open the doors to new experiences, social connections, and career opportunities. You will also become a more confident and well-rounded individual. There are countless benefits to bilingualism that will last throughout your life. Make the most of your college education and study a second language.